A vehicle control apparatus is provided with a system controller for centrally controlling an engine controller and a converter controller. The system controller causes, via the converter controller, a generator to be driven in accordance with a generator rotational speed command value ([omega]c_ref1) smaller than an idling-maintaining minimum rotational speed ([omega]e_idol_min) for the engine; initiates, via the engine controller, fuel injection into the engine after the elapse of a predetermined time; and outputs a gate cutoff signal (GSTOP) for turning off energization of the generator to a converter when the rotational speed of the engine becomes greater than the generator rotational speed command value ([omega]c_ref) and reaches a predetermined rotational speed threshold value ([omega]e_th) smaller than the idling-maintaining minimum rotational speed ([omega]e_idol_min).